Healthy (But Lazy!) Dinner Recipes

When you have a jam-packed schedule or are just too tired to be bothered with the stove, we know it can feel like a major effort to deal with a guilt-free meal.

We totally hear you—and are here to help you end the day on a good note. So to help you stay on your slim-and-trim track, we’ve gathered up a slew of dishes that require 10 minutes or less of hands-on work—but are all packed with ingredients and nutrients. And once you see how easy it is to cook your way to thin, check out these 25 Ways to Lose Weight in 5 Seconds.

Seven ingredients, one large skillet and 30 minutes are all you’ll need to make this delicious protein-filled meal. To amp up the fiber count and boost your dinner’s satiety factor, add some chopped broccoli or brussels sprouts to the mix.

Chops may not be the leanest cut of pork on the market, but a 3.5 serving of the protein source provides a decent hit of choline, a nutrient that attacks the gene mechanism that triggers the storage of fat around the liver. And by making this Asian-inspired dish at home, instead of ordering something similar from your local take-out joint, you’re saving tons of sodium, calories and sugar—without sacrificing flavors you crave.

3. CREAMY CHICKEN QUINOA BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

Just because you’re trying to lose weight, doesn’t mean you have to give up savory comfort food—and this cheesy, bacon topped dish proves just that! By using quinoa in lieu of traditional white rice, the talented blogger behind this dish boosts the protein content six-fold and adds an additional 11.5 grams of waist-whittling fiber to her casserole creation. And thanks to the addition of broccoli, this dish provides a fair amount of vitamin C, a nutrient that counteracts cortisol, a stress hormone that promotes belly fat.

4. MEXICAN TORTILLA CASSEROLE

This recipe relies on canned beans and a combination of frozen and no-chop veggies which keeps prep time to a quick 10-minutes. And after 20-minutes in the oven, this fiber and protein-rich one-dish wonder is ready to make its dinner table debut.

It may arrive at your front door in just 30 minutes flat, but if Chinese takeout is part of your weekly dinner lineup, it’s likely making it very difficult to shed unwanted pounds. Don’t believe it? Consider this: An order of sesame chicken from P.F Chang’s will cost you 890 calories and an entire day’s worth of blood pressure-spiking sodium. The solution? This homemade version, on the other hand, has a fraction of the calories and salt and can get on your kitchen table just as quickly.

6. HARISSA AND CITRUS BAKED SALMON

Move over, sriracha, a new saucy condiment is bringing the heat to dinnertime dishes. Harissa, a paste made with hot chili peppers, garlic and smoky spices, joins together with citrus fruits and onions to create this unique—yet easy to make—salmon dish. To round out your meal, follow Sweet Phi’s lead and serve your fish with a side of roasted broccoli. The green cruciferous veggie contains a potent phytonutrient called sulforaphane that increase testosterone and fights off fat storage.

8. 3-INGREDIENT SALMON

Want to lose weight without going hungry? Wild salmon is a must-have. Not only is it rich in omega-3s, healthy fats that stave off metabolism-slowing inflammation, but it’s also a great source of protein, a nutrient that increases post-meal calorie burn by as much as 35 percent! Thankfully, it doesn’t take a lot of work to transform a raw fillet into a filling, delicious meal, and this recipe by The Healthy Maven proves just that. We love that it goes from the oven to your dinner table in just 20-minutes flat.

9. ONE SKILLET LEMON CHICKEN AND RED POTATOES

Yes, you read that correctly, we’re telling you to eat potatoes for weight loss. The reason: An Australian study that measured the satiety index of 38 popular foods found that white spuds were not only more filling and satisfying than things like cookies and cake (no surprise there), they also ranked better than healthy picks like brown rice and oatmeal. As a result, research participants ate less on the days they consumed them. Add this healthy meal to your weekly rotation and it may just be easier for you to say no to dessert.

10. 5-INGREDIENT EASY WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

A chili recipe that comes together in just 15 minutes? It may sound too good to be true, but it’s not! The secret behind the speed? Pre-cooked chicken—it cuts the cooking time in half. To keep the calorie and fat counts reasonable, steer clear of the sour cream and crumbled tortilla chips add-ons. Instead, top off your bowl with some avocado (a fruit that’s been shown to lower BMI and whittle waistlines) and fresh cilantro.

11. 12-MINUTE PEANUT NOODLES

There’s nothing not to love about stir-frys. They don’t take any special skills or crazy ingredients and they’re really quick to throw together. This vegan recipe, packed with vitamin-rich veggies, gets the bulk of its flavor from its peanut sauce, which calls for just five easy-to-find ingredients.

12. CROCKPOT QUINOA CHICKEN PRIMAVERA

If you’re an avid ETNT reader, you likely already know we’re big fans of quinoa—and with good reason. The ancient whole grain is naturally gluten free, filled with fiber and is a complete source of vegan protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino-acids that the body cannot create on its own. It’s primary downside? It’s kind of “meh” tasting when eaten solo. That’s why we love this recipe. The addition of garlic, lemon, herbs, chicken and veggies transform a somewhat-boring grain dish into a meal that’s not only healthy, but hard to put down.

13. ONE POT PASTA

We’ve never thought to cook pasta, meat and veggies in one stockpot before—but it’s a genius idea! The fewer dishes you use to make your meal, the less time it will take you to clean up after dinner, which means there’s more time for relaxing and unwinding before bed.

Pasta is considered a no-no by many dieters, but if done right noodles can be a sound addition to any weight loss diet plan. In this recipe, the addition of green beans means you’re taking in more fiber- and protein-filled calories and fewer calories from empty carbs. To further tip the ratio of veggies to carbs in your favor, add an extra cup of green beans or another vegetable like bell pepper or asparagus.

15. ONE POT LEMON ORZO SHRIMP

This hearty dish has all the makings of a solid, flavor-packed meal: carbs, veggies, shrimp and a plethora of spices. Best of all, it’s completely customizable. Not a fan of tomatoes or peas? Add in your favorite veggies. And speaking of shrimp, the deveined variety is one of Shaun T’s go-to proteins.

16. SKILLET CHIPOTLE CHICKEN ENCHILADA BAKE

This cheesy, eight-ingredient enchilada dish comes together with the help of just two pieces of cookware. And thanks to the addition of fiber-filled black beans, this meal will keep your belly full and you brain sharp. The musical fruit is full of antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function.

18. MAPLE-SOY GLAZED SALMON

Not only is it possible to make a restaurant-worthy meal with just five ingredients, it’s also extremely easy. Plus, with just 227 calories, this dish is likely far healthier than anything your local Hibachi restaurant is serving up. Pair the fish with some brown rice and some Asian-inspired frozen veggies to pack some extra fiber and nutrients into your meal.

20. 5-INGREDIENT CHILI

Not only is this chili delicious and super filling, it’s also beyond easy to make thanks to its short ingredient list. But those aren’t the only reasons you should put spoon to mouth: The body has to work harder to digest protein than carbs or fat, so eating a protein-heavy meal like this one can help you burn calories. And to rev your metabolism even further, sprinkle on some extra chili powder. The spice gets it heat from a compound called capsaicin, one of nature’s most potent fat burners.